History Joslyn Art Museum

the museum s glass atrium (the west view) contains café , gift shop. dale chihuly s chihuly: inside , out seen @ far end.

in 1928, kiewit, started construction of museum. opening on november 29, 1931, gift people of omaha sarah h. joslyn in memory of husband, george a. joslyn; occupies large , impressive art deco building designed john , alan mcdonald, constructed of georgia pink marble, 38 different marbles on world in interior, close downtown omaha. decorative panels on exterior designed sculptor john david brcin , refer peoples of plains - original native american inhabitants , later european explorers , settlers. inscriptions carved on building written hartley burr alexander. substantial extension, designed lord norman foster, opened in 1994.

in 2008, construction began on joslyn sculpture garden. opened in summer 2009 in time annual jazz on green festival. garden features work local , national artists reflecting pool , waterfall. garden host annual jazz on green festival, held every summer past 25 years in july , august. festival lasts 8 weeks , features local, regional, , national jazz musicians. event free , draws thousands of spectators can come , sit , bring bottle of wine , snacks enjoy. of 2010, omaha performing arts has taken on event , moved park in midtown crossing @ turner park development better accommodate growing event.

in may 2013, museum stopped charging general admission, again providing free access public had done opening until mid-1960s.